REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of Local Student Samaira Mehta
Report
BACKGROUND
Samaira Mehta is a 13-year-old Tech Entrepreneur based in Santa Clara who was recognized by TIME as “One of the 8 Young Leaders Shaping the Decade” and a “Real-life Powerpuff Girl” by Hulu for her invention “CoderBunnyz,” a board game that simplifies complex coding concepts and teaches them in a fun farmyard adventure.
Samaira Mehta is also the founder of “CoderMindz” - the world’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) board game that simplifies the intricacies of how AI works, and “CoderMarz” which brings together her love for coding and AI with her interest in outer space and Mars.
She is a Davidson Fellow, Gen Z ambassador for Arm with their program GenArm2Z; she works with the United Nations for gender equality, is a Softbank Masa Son Scholar, and was a finalist for the first-ever “Kid of the Year” presented by TIME and Nickelodeon. Samaira was also featured on platforms like Vogue, CNBC, CNET, Business Insider, Today Show, UN Women, and Washington Post. She has been a speaker at over 100 conferences nationwide and internationally including at MWC 2019, C2 Montreal, and at corporations like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Intel, SAP, Walmart, and IBM.
DISCUSSION
At the September 28, 2021 Council meeting, the Santa Clara City Council will recognize Samaira Mehta for her many achievements with a Certificate of Special Mayoral Recognition.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
Staff
Reviewed by: Julie Minot, Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager